Senate set to approve McFaul's candidacy for post of U.S. ambassador to Russia

U.S. President Barack Obama introduced to the Senate for approval several candidacies for key administration posts, including the candidacy of Michael McFaul for the post of the U.S. ambassador to Russia. "I am pleased to announce that these experienced and committed individuals have agreed to join this Administration, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead," the White House quoted Obama as saying. Michael A. McFaul, 48, is a Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director, Russia and Eurasia Affairs for the White House National Security Staff. He speaks fluent Russian. McFaul was born and raised in Montana. He received his B.A. in International Relations and Slavic Languages and his M.A. in Slavic and East European Studies from Stanford University in 1986.